Promoting investment development must become an integrated part of inclusive and just economic growthJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on investment development to be integrated with inclusive and equitable economic growth.
"Promoting investment development must become an integrated part of inclusive and just economic growth," President Jokowi stated during a speech at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the 2021 Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the parliament building complex here on Monday.
The head of state remarked that Indonesia's investment realization during the January-June 2021 period, excluding the upstream oil and gas sector and financial services, had reached at least Rp442.8 trillion, of which 51.5 percent was achieved outside Java and 48.5 percent in Java.
This investment has absorbed over 620 thousand Indonesian workers.
"We are optimistic of additional investment in the next few months meeting the target of Rp900 trillion as well as creating new jobs and boosting the economy more significantly," President Jokowi stated.
The head of state's main agenda also included efforts to increase the number of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurs. Various facilities have been readied for boosting the growth of MSMEs, including establishing strategic partnerships with large companies to quickly enter the global supply chain.
Such efforts are expected to boost competitiveness of MSME products as well as increase economic independence at all societal levels.
"This investment ecosystem and collaboration in business is also expected to further strengthen economic development based on innovation and technology, especially towards a sustainable Green Economy and Blue Economy," according to President Jokowi.
On the other hand, the president stressed that the government continued to pursue developments in the food sector to build food self-sufficiency.
Jokowi noted that transformation to develop new and renewable energy as well as accelerate green technology-based economy also contributed to crucial changes in the national economy.
Consolidation of national research is also being continuously pursued to be in line with the national development agenda.
Furthermore, President Jokowi affirmed that synergy between education and the industry as well as entrepreneurship development must continue to be accelerated through "Merdeka Belajar" (Freedom to Learn) Program.
Such efforts are expected to accelerate honing the quality of Indonesia's human resources and enhance the competitiveness of domestic industries and products.
"Expanding market access for domestic products is a serious concern for the government. We continue to improve the “Proudly Made in Indonesia” program while bolstering the competitiveness of local products in global competition," he emphasized.
Jokowi also highlighted the government’s continued efforts to encourage development of the digital economy ecosystem to boost the people's productivity.
He drew attention to the continued growth in the number of MSMEs entering e-commerce platforms and marketplaces. As of August this year, over 14 million MSMEs, or 22 percent of the total MSMEs had adopted electronic commerce.
"Participation in the digital economy is important, as it has enormous potential, and this digitization makes it easier for MSMEs to enter the global supply chain," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's digital trade transactions were valued at over Rp253 trillion in 2020. This figure is projected to climb to Rp330.7 trillion in 2021.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga, Ka
Editor: Sri Haryati
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